Consciousness Sleep, Dream, Hypnosis, & Drugs

What is Consciousness? What do you "feel" when you: What do you "feel" when you: –daydream? –drift off to sleep? –consume mind-altering substances, such as alcohol? –you are hypnotized? (describe the experience)

Consciousness What is Consciousness? What is Consciousness? – A person’s awareness of everything that is going on at any given moment Used to organize your behavior – thoughts, sensations, & feelings Used to organize your behavior – thoughts, sensations, & feelings Walking Hours = Walking Consciousness Walking Hours = Walking Consciousness

Altered Consciousness Variations in consciousness Variations in consciousness Shifts in the quality or pattern of mental activity Shifts in the quality or pattern of mental activity –Types: Divided Consciousness Under the Influence of Drugs DaydreamingHypnotized Meditative State Sleeping

Disadvantages of Shift Work Study done by Gordon et al. – Study done by Gordon et al. – –Males who work schedules had higher rates of heavy drinking, job stress, and emotional problems than did males working set schedules –Females who worked variable shifts reported more use of sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and alcohol as well as more job stress and emotional problems –Can Anyone Relate?

Disadvantages of Shift Work Who has worked on rotating shifts or have parents or close friends who have done so? Who has worked on rotating shifts or have parents or close friends who have done so? –Describe their experiences including how long they held the job, the number of hours they worked, which shift they worked, and how often they rotated to a different shift. –How did shift work affect job satisfaction, productivity, and personal relationships? –How did shift work affected their family structure or friendship patterns? –How did it effect sleep schedules?

Consciousness Sleep

Sleep Why must we sleep? Circadian Rhythms – natural cycles of activity that the body must go through Why must we sleep? Circadian Rhythms – natural cycles of activity that the body must go through –Sleep-Wake Cycle: last 24 hours How much sleep do we need? How much sleep do we need? –Adults need on average of 7 – 9 hours

Hypothalamus & Sleep Role of Hypothalamus – “internal clock” Role of Hypothalamus – “internal clock” –Secretes Melatonin via the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Why: SCN is sensitive to light Why: SCN is sensitive to light –When dark SCN tells Pineal Gland to secrete melatonin –When light SCN tells Pineal Gland to stop secreting melatonin –Body Temperature: when temp high, you are more alert; when low, you are sleepier

Not Sleeping Price of Not Sleeping Price of Not Sleeping –Lack of concentration, & inability to simple tasks –2 Major Prices: Microsleeps & Sleep Deprivation

Theories of Sleep 1) Adaptive Theory – sleep evolved as a way to conserve energy & keep animals safe from predators that hunt at night 1) Adaptive Theory – sleep evolved as a way to conserve energy & keep animals safe from predators that hunt at night –Prey animals sleep less 2) Restorative Theory – sleep provides the body with an opportunity to restore chemicals that have been depleted & helps the growth & repair of cell tissue 2) Restorative Theory – sleep provides the body with an opportunity to restore chemicals that have been depleted & helps the growth & repair of cell tissue Conclusion: Adaptive explains when, Restorative explains the need Conclusion: Adaptive explains when, Restorative explains the need

Stages of Sleep: Non-REM Non-REM – much deeper, more restful Non-REM – much deeper, more restful –1 st Stage – light sleep, theta waves increase & alpha waves increase Hypnagogic Images – vivid visual events, flashes of light Hypnagogic Images – vivid visual events, flashes of light Hypnic Jerk – movement of body parts Hypnic Jerk – movement of body parts –2 nd Stage – body temp drops, heart rate slows, 1 st signs of Sleep Spindles – brief bursts of activity High Activity of Theta Waves High Activity of Theta Waves

Stages of Sleep: Non-REM Non-REM Non-REM –3 rd Stage – appearance of delta waves, slowest & largest waves 20% to 50% of the brain wave patterns 20% to 50% of the brain wave patterns –4 th Stage – predominantly delta waves, & body is at lowest level of functioning 50% of brain wave patterns are delta waves 50% of brain wave patterns are delta waves Growth Hormones are released during this stage Growth Hormones are released during this stage Deepest Stage of Sleep Deepest Stage of Sleep

Stages of Sleep: REM REM – most dreaming takes place, & voluntary muscles are inhibited (REM Paralysis) REM – most dreaming takes place, & voluntary muscles are inhibited (REM Paralysis) –Occurs 4 to 5 times a night –Replaces Stage One sleep in the sleep-wake cycle –Heart beats faster, brain is most active, eyes move rapidly –REM Rebound – increase in REM sleep due to deprivation of REM in previous nights

Sleep Disorders Nightmares – bad/unpleasant dreams that occur during REM sleep Nightmares – bad/unpleasant dreams that occur during REM sleep REM Behavior Disorder – REM Paralysis fails & the person moves violently while dreaming, often acting out the elements of the dream - - vary rare REM Behavior Disorder – REM Paralysis fails & the person moves violently while dreaming, often acting out the elements of the dream - - vary rare Sleepwalking – occurs in 20% of people, & during stage 4 sleep Sleepwalking – occurs in 20% of people, & during stage 4 sleep

Sleep Disorders Night Terrors – attacks of extreme fear that the victim has while sound asleep Night Terrors – attacks of extreme fear that the victim has while sound asleep –Rare, & most common in children Insomnia – inability to get to sleep, stay sleep, or get enough sleep Insomnia – inability to get to sleep, stay sleep, or get enough sleep –Psychological Causes: worrying, trying too hard to sleep, or anxiety –Physiological Causes: caffeine, indigestion, or aches & pains

Sleep Disorders Sleep Apnea – occurs when a person stops breathing for nearly half a minute or more, followed by gasping for air Sleep Apnea – occurs when a person stops breathing for nearly half a minute or more, followed by gasping for air –Causes sleepiness & heart problems –Can lead to SIDS Narcolepsy – genetic disorder in which the person suddenly & without warming collapses into REM sleep Narcolepsy – genetic disorder in which the person suddenly & without warming collapses into REM sleep –Affects 1 in 2,000

Consciousness Dreams

Interpretation of Dreams Sigmund Freud believed that conflicts, events, & desires of the past would be represented in symbolic form in dreams Sigmund Freud believed that conflicts, events, & desires of the past would be represented in symbolic form in dreams Manifest Content – is the actual dream & its events Manifest Content – is the actual dream & its events –What we do in our dream is such that Latent Content – is the symbolic content Latent Content – is the symbolic content –Hidden message of our dreams –Interpretation depends on features in our dreams & what is happening in our waking life

Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis The association areas of the cortex interpret signals in our waking consciousness from our 5 senses & creates reality The association areas of the cortex interpret signals in our waking consciousness from our 5 senses & creates reality Without outside sensory information to explain the activation of the brain cells the association area must synthesize our dreams to explain the activation Without outside sensory information to explain the activation of the brain cells the association area must synthesize our dreams to explain the activation

Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis Def. explanation that states dreams are created by our cortex to explain activation of brain cells during REM sleep Def. explanation that states dreams are created by our cortex to explain activation of brain cells during REM sleep –Thinking that occurs while we sleep –Explains why dreams can be unrealistic & bizarre because this activation is not done by our frontal lobes or our normal senses

Activation-Information-Mode (AIM) This is the revision of the Activation Synthesis Hypothesis This is the revision of the Activation Synthesis Hypothesis –States that information experienced during waking hours can influence the synthesis of dreams It makes up a dream using information of people’s past experiences It makes up a dream using information of people’s past experiences

What do we dream about? Most dreams reflect the events that occur in our everyday life Most dreams reflect the events that occur in our everyday life Characteristics: Characteristics: –Usually in Color –Active in Dreams – run/jump/talk/fly/fall –Gender Differences – Males: more physical/sexual/unfamiliar setting Females: personal appearance/family/home

Consciousness Hypnosis

Steps in Hypnotic Induction 1) Hypnotist tells the person to focus on what is being said 1) Hypnotist tells the person to focus on what is being said 2) The person is told to relax & feel tired 2) The person is told to relax & feel tired 3) Person is told to let go & accept suggestions 3) Person is told to let go & accept suggestions 4) Person is told to use vivid imagination 4) Person is told to use vivid imagination –Key Aspect: Heightened state of Suggestibility & Hypnotic Susceptibility

Fact or Myth What it cannot do: increase strength, reliably enhance memory, or regress people What it cannot do: increase strength, reliably enhance memory, or regress people What it can do: produce amnesia, reduce pain, help people relax, & alter sensory impressions What it can do: produce amnesia, reduce pain, help people relax, & alter sensory impressions ***The Hypnotized Person is in control ***The Hypnotized Person is in control

Theories of Hypnosis Dissociation: The Hidden Observer Dissociation: The Hidden Observer –One part of the consciousness is hypnotized & susceptible to suggestion, while the other part is aware of everything that occurs –A Hidden Part of the mind is aware even though the Hypnotized Part is unaware

Theories of Hypnosis Social Role-Playing: Social-Cognitive Explanation Social Role-Playing: Social-Cognitive Explanation –Hypnotized person is merely playing a social role, a role that is expected of them while hypnotized Performance where “subjects” are unaware that they are role-playing Performance where “subjects” are unaware that they are role-playing